Principles of Routine and Emergency Response Ambulance Driving

1.1 State reasons for complying with legislation and driving regulation

1.2 Identify consequences of disregarding legislation and driving regulation

1.3 Identify exemptions available when driving under:

• Routine conditions

• Emergency response conditions

1.4 Summarise actions required for incident management when:

• The incident involves a service vehicle

• Coming across an incident

1.5 State procedures for driving in a range of weather conditions

1.6 List responsibilities of an emergency response ambulance driver

2.1 Summarise a range of ambulance vehicles in use within own organisation, to include:

• Type

• Limitation

• Fuel type

2.2 State the legal requirements if a pre-driving ambulance vehicle daily inspection when checking for:

• Vehicle compliance

• Vehicle safety

2.3 State reasons for performing a pre-driving check

3.1 Identify different types of roads, including:

• Single carriageways

• Dual carriageways

• Motorways

3.2 Identify different types of motorways

3.3 State procedure for breakdowns on:

• Single carriageways

• Dual carriageways

• Motorways

3.4 Identify different types of road furniture found on:

• Single carriageways

• Dual carriageways

• Motorways

3.5 State the meaning of each traffic sign found in the Highway Code, including:

• Signs giving orders

• Warning signs

• Direction signs

• Information signs

• Road works signs

SEE SEPARATE SOCRATIVE, HIGHWAY CODE, FLASHCARD RESOURCES

3.6 State the meaning of signals found in the Highway Code, including:

• Light signals controlling traffic

• Signals to other road users

• Signals by authorised persons

SEE SEPARATE SOCRATIVE, HIGHWAY CODE, FLASHCARD RESOURCES

3.7 State the meaning of markings found in the Highway Code, including:

• Road markings

• Vehicle markings

SEE SEPARATE SOCRATIVE, HIGHWAY CODE, FLASHCARD RESOURCES

3.8 Identify situations in which the following emergency response ambulance vehicle positions should be used:

• In-line

• Fend-in

• Fend-off

4.1 State effects of the following on steering:

• Hand positioning

• Steering techniques

4.2 Explain the term tapered braking

4.3 State the considerations for using brakes

4.4 Outline reasons for undertaking a static and mobile brake test

4.5 State how braking technique can provide a journey that meets the needs of the patient

4.6 Identify the range of characteristics of ambulance vehicles in relation to emergency response driving for:

• Manual transmission

• Automatic transmission

• Electric vehicles

4.7 State how to us the ambulance vehicle transmission system to drive:

• Economically

• Progressively

4.8 State the advantages of using acceleration sense

4.9 Identify the importance of smooth acceleration

5.1 Identify the phases of the system of car control

5.2 Identify the advantages of the system of car control

5.3 Identify types of hazards

5.4 Outline how to make, use and give information

5.5 State the importance of the system of car control for:

• Forward planning

• Anticipation

• Observation

6.1 Outline factors to consider when approaching a bend

6.2 State the importance of correct speed when approaching and negotiating a bend

6.3 Identify how vehicle condition and type can affect cornering

7.1 Define legal requirements for passing vehicles during:

• Overtaking

• Passing on the left

7.2 Identify how ambulance vehicle performance will affect overtaking

7.3 List factors to consider when overtaking whilst driving under routine conditions

7.4 List factors to consider when overtaking whilst driving under emergency response conditions

8.1 State when a banks man is required for reversing and manoeuvring

8.2 Identify signals to be used when acting as a banksman

9.1 Identify different types and causes of skids

9.2 State how to avoid skids

9.3 State how the following ambulance vehicle safety systems work:

• Electronic Stability Programme

• ABS braking

9.4 State procedures to maintain vehicle stability in an ambulance fitted with safety aids

9.5 State the purpose of the following safety systems:

• Passive safety aids

• Active safety aids

10.1 Identify human factors that contribute to road traffic collisions, including:

• Conflict

• Stress

• Fatigue

10.2 Identify situations where conflict may involve:

• Crew and colleagues

• Patients and relatives

• Other road users and bystanders

10.3 Outline personal actions which can help reduce hostility

10.4 State coping strategies used to combat the effects of stress caused by:

• Confrontational behaviour whilst driving

• Driving under emergency response conditions

10.5 Identify potential causes of decreased driver alertness

10.6 Identify impacts of fatigue under routine and emergency response driving conditions during:

• Daylight hours

• Hours of darkness

10.7 Identify techniques to use when affected by fatigue whilst driving

11.1 List preparation requirements for driving an ambulance vehicle during the hours of darkness under:

• Routine conditions

• Emergency response conditions

11.2 Identify procedures for dealing with dazzle from other road users’ lights

11.3 State how an ambulance driver’s field of vision affects speed perception whilst driving during the hours of darkness under:

• Routine conditions

• Emergency response conditions

12.1 Identify factors to consider when claiming exemptions available for emergency response ambulance driving

12.2 Outline the risk assessment process for driving under emergency response conditions

12.3 State how audible and visual warnings facilitate safe progress